Education and training for the next generation of workers

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

The deployment of electric trucks will not only need new skills but more people in different role to support the growth. One of the more main areas where new workforce will be needed would be in installation and maintenance of charging infrastructure. Other areas to support the transition would be in fleet operations optimisation, servicing and EV recycling.

Examples and initiatives

The Institute of Advanced Specialisation in Uruguay offers two-year training to students in assessing, maintaining and repairing electric vehicles. The program is supported by the government and has several partnerships with transport providers.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Workforce development is needed in different areas of the shipping sector to support decarbonisation. These areas include safety, digitalisation, operations and alternate fuel technologies. A DNV report identifies the need to train about 450 000 additional seafarers by 2030 and 800 000 by mid-2030 to support the maritime industry’s decarbonisation (DNV, 2022).

Examples and initiatives

The Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping subcommittee of the IMO, in a plan to update the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, has highlighted emerging new technologies in education and training as a key area of consideration.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Workforce development is needed in different areas of the aviation sector to support decarbonisation. These areas include safety, digitalisation, operations and alternate fuel technologies. ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals report released in 2024 identifies the dearth of qualified professionals as a key issue for the lack of compliance on safety related matters. This also has important implications on decarbonisation the sector.

Examples and initiatives

ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals initiative, in collaboration with its partners, aims to increase skills related to low-emission technologies.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

The private sector and universities are starting to work closely to build a skilled workforce proficient in renewable energy and green steel production.

Examples and initiatives

Steeluniversity, established by the World Steel Association, provides a suite of learning materials and training across the entire value chain of the steel industry (steeluniversity, 2016). The newly launched Skills Partnership for Energy Intensive Industries aims to develop a framework to address the skills gaps and strengthen training ecosystems across energy-intensive industries, including steel.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Key efforts include partnerships between industry, government and academia to build apprenticeship and technical training programmes focused on workforce development in low-carbon chemicals production.

Examples and initiatives

Programmes such as the Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability Certificate Program, GreenChemAfrica and the Green Chemistry Postgraduate Summer School target early-stage professionals to develop skills and knowledge in low-chemical production.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

There is a need to build a workforce that aligns with the needs of the industry to decarbonise, including developing knowledge on electrification and carbon capture. Key efforts should include partnerships between industry, government and academia to build apprenticeship and technical training programmes focused on workforce development in low-carbon cement production.

Examples and initiatives

The International CCS Summer School, from the IEAGHG, focuses on training young scientists and early-stage professionals on CCUS technologies.

The Skills Alliance for the Green, Digital and Social Transformation of the Energy Intensive Industries aims to develop a framework to address skills gaps and strengthen training ecosystems across energy-intensive industries, including cement.